At present, the Chinese government is on a 'charm offensive' when it comes to Australians. The previous, bureaucratic, and intrusive, visa application has been eliminated for short trips. Tourists are now more than welcome with more than 20,000 Australians visiting in the first five months of 2025, on a TripADeal. In addition, several other companies are offering similar packages. I imagine that the total in 2025 will be well over 50,000.
China is Australia's principal trading partner and our Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, was there last week, with US tariffs a mutual issue, having several meetings with President Xi Jinping. Earlier in the year US President Trump cancelled a meeting with him, despite being our principal defence ally, with a submarine deal in the balance. No doubt sensing the tension, China put on a military parade, numerous dinners, and a visit to the pandas - the previously withdrawn animals to be replaced at Adelaide Zoo.
The PM returned glowing with pleasure, the Sydney Morning Herald reporting:
| Albanese had faced criticism from Coalition figures that his China visit was “indulgent” and a means of seducing Labor. However, the prime minister told the Herald on his flight back to Australia that the “unusual” private lunch on Tuesday involved Australia “adding layers” to the two nations’ relationship. Albanese said Xi was “very personal” in the lunch: “We got to know each other a lot more; a lot more about our backgrounds ... there was humour. That shows an element of trust, as well, to open up in that way.”
Monday, July 21, 2025 |
Thousands of Australians in China. Tourists welcome. No need for a visa. Look out the bus window! What do you see? A first world country? Any homeless? Unhappy people? Private enterprise everywhere? Yes, no, no, yes. Go home and tell everyone.